Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Quickly, I need to say Startup Nation is a Godsend, thank you all who contribute.

Many people have said "Making a web site is easy" and while I do agree, to a point, my target market is that "pre-internet" generation of individual business owners (i.e. mom and pop).The people that don`t have the knowledge or time to create their own web presence.
Years ago I bought into an online web site creation tool with great expectations of filling this niche market rapidly and successfully. I soon realized the "create your own web page" market is VERY competitive and making a buck in it is difficult.
As I`ve researched and tried other online income generating ideas the recurring theme here is "you need to know how to sell", and I don`t. The advice has been given that if you are weak in certain areas find someone who can do it for you.
I am holding onto the idea that all I need is to find someone who can sell this great service, let me handle the back end, and we`re off to a great business future.
Basically the service charges me $10 per site and anything I charge above that is my profit.
Is my idea not realistic?
How would I find this "perfect salesman"?
What do I offer him/her in return?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

I did Sandler Sales Training and it was great for me. I often go back to the CDs for help when I need a little "support".

I don`t know how to help you find a sales person, but I know a lot of them do just work on commissions. BUT this is hard because it`s LOW commissions.
One idea for you is a referral system, in terms of sales. For example, I do web sites. If I have someone who can`t afford me because they are really low in budget, I refer them elsewhere. Maybe you can hook up with some development companies for a referral service? You can do "referral bonues" if you want, or just be a resource.

In terms of the service, what makes you different than something like GoDaddy? They have a lot of advertising and website builder services.

nhgnikole...
Is the Sandler program expensive?
Could you also elaborate on what a referral bonus is? Pardon my ignorance.
I`m open to trying anything that might work, cause up to and including today, this has not been a revenue generating endevour!
In terms of service.... what makes me different than GoDaddy? ummmm.... honestly  not much really.
It seems everyone has a web building tool now so I need a niche in a bad way.
If you`re inclined, the site is www.ezsitemax.com, let me know what you think I`d be grateful.

Don`t beg for a niche ... find one or make one. 

The program has various aspects to it ... CDs, training, lots of things. You`d just have to contact a local trainer and find out what their programs are. You might be able to find the materials on ebay or craigslist even.

I just mean if you needed some sort of incentive to get people to sell your products ... like give them $5 for every sale or something. Affiliate sales.

On creating your own niche...read Blue Ocean Strategy by  W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne .

If you really want to get the salesperson working in your best interests, ensure that the compensation is better than other alternatives. If your cost is $10/site - what will the market bear? Do you want to offer the best value out there? Have you taken the time to understand this market...created a business plan?

Determine what is fair for you - if you had to sell. Then look at what is fair for you as the business owner taking the risks and having invested in the background work. There should be a middle ground that you can live with. Hopefully there is enough margin that the salesperson makes a healthy percentage.

Make sure the comp. is on NET sales (net of returns) and paid AFTER the customer pays you. Otherwise you could be floating a lot of $.


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A good idea is a good idea NOW![sup]TM[/sup]

ethnicomm inc. | sales | marketing | web | strategy consulting

Here`s the opion of a (very) old hand at this selling game. Once you figure
out why people should buy, as opposed to why you want to sell, the rest of
selling gets a lot easier. Firstly, because you get excited about what you can
do for
your customers and secondly because they start to see you as an expert.
Buyers always want to buy from people who know more than they do about
what they need. Can I suggest your proposition will be much more attractive
to the customer if it focusses on how they will benefit from what you can do.

If you`d like to get a masterclass in selling, written for people who aren`t
sales guys, you might like to visit my site at www.frontofficebox.com and
check out the Serious about Selling articles in the wiki - no charge.

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Serious about focussing your business on customers?
visit us at http://www.frontofficebox.com

Ethnicomm, no I don`t have a business plan yet. I appreciate the advise.
Saxmansteve, understanding that I need to focus on why they want my service and get away from the "here is my service, come and get it" is something that I have not done, so thank you for that.